Hello, I’m an urban explorer from Lithuania. For over 10 years, I’ve been exploring abandoned buildings across Europe. One of my favorite types of places to explore has always been abandoned sacred sites - churches, monasteries, and crypts - because of their unique religious atmosphere.Today, I’d like to present to you 30 of the most beautiful abandoned sacred places I’ve visited in Europe. If you enjoy my work, feel free to follow me on Instagram.More info:Instagram|FacebookThis post may includeaffiliate links.

Hello, I’m an urban explorer from Lithuania. For over 10 years, I’ve been exploring abandoned buildings across Europe. One of my favorite types of places to explore has always been abandoned sacred sites - churches, monasteries, and crypts - because of their unique religious atmosphere.

Today, I’d like to present to you 30 of the most beautiful abandoned sacred places I’ve visited in Europe. If you enjoy my work, feel free to follow me on Instagram.

More info:Instagram|Facebook

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Beautiful abandoned European church interior with wooden pews and ornate decor.

We are interested in shelters, tunnels, abandoned buildings, thermal pipelines, rooftops with scenic views—anything that is inaccessible to the average person, can be explored independently, and holds visual or historical value. Independence is crucial; it is the core aspect that differentiates Urban Exploration from media or commercial photography. Our aim is for every photo or article to bring something new to the subculture, either historically or visually. Therefore, we strive to visit relatively unknown locations, leaving well-known sites to photographers and other enthusiasts.

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Beautiful abandoned sacred church interior in Europe with arched ceilings and stained glass windows.

Located in a small village, this abandoned chapel once belonged to a former seminary. The most beautiful feature of this place is the magnificent sculptures that overlook the chapel from above.

Stunning interior view of an abandoned sacred European place, featuring ornate architecture and statues.

This church in Italy was left abandoned after the town became uninhabited following a massive earthquake. The town is now slowly being renovated, but the church remains abandoned.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe with ornate ceilings and decaying interior architecture.

This abandoned church in Poland is renowned for its wooden interior architecture. According to rumors, planned reconstruction work was eventually canceled, and the building is once again up for sale.

Abandoned sacred church in Europe with wooden interiors and pews, showcasing its beautiful historic architecture.

We primarily photoghraph in Vilnius and its surroundings, but we also travel farther if necessary—to Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, and other countries where we have friends or can independently find locations. We frequently represent Lithuania and Vilnius to foreign visitors. Recently, as the number of sites in Lithuania has decreased, we have increasingly ventured to countries like Poland, Germany, France, and Belgium. We’ve also explored places in Abkhazia, Georgia, Italy, and other countries.

Beautiful abandoned sacred place in Europe with stained glass windows and wooden pews.

This church in the Czech Republic has been abandoned for a long time due to structural damage. Since the residents lack the funds to repair it, the church remains closed and inaccessible to the public.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe featuring a dilapidated interior with ornate ceiling art and decaying pews.

If the place is not mentioned in the article, we aim to keep it a secret. Preserving the location after visiting is our top priority. We share information only with personally trusted individuals within the subculture. Time and again, we’ve witnessed how even minimal public disclosure of a site leads to its eventual destruction. For this reason, we make no exceptions, whether for photoshoots, filming, or other journalistic or artistic projects.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe, featuring an ornate interior with a vintage open book on a wooden table.

This abandoned monastery in Lithuania is renowned for the paintings that adorn its walls. Since it is very difficult to access, only a few urban explorers have managed to visit it. It remains one of the last well-preserved abandoned sacred sites in Lithuania.

Person exploring beautiful abandoned sacred place in Europe with frescoed ceilings and arched corridors.

This abandoned church, built in the mid-20th century, once belonged to the adjacent seminary. The seminary is now also abandoned, with only part of it housing a youth center.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe with wooden ceiling and empty pews.

Beautiful abandoned sacred place in Europe with ornate arches, stained glass, and empty pews.

There are many abandoned churches in the Czech Republic. Construction of this church began in the early 20th century and continued until just before the First World War. The inscription above the altar reads, “O Lord, hear my prayer.”

Woman sitting in an abandoned sacred place in Europe, surrounded by ornate, weathered architecture and intricate details.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe with arched ceilings and rows of red seats, highlighting architectural beauty.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe, featuring a grand interior with faded elegance and intricate architectural details.

It’s encouraging that reconstruction work is already underway at this abandoned neo-Gothic church in Belgium.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe with a weathered organ in a deserted church interior.

This fascinating abandoned crypt is located in a palace in northern Poland that is no longer in use. Although the palace is abandoned, the neighbors make an effort to maintain it and seal off the passages whenever they appear.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe with ornate stone tombs and weathered walls, creating a serene, historical atmosphere.

This church in Belgium was once repurposed as a bar and nightclub. Now, it stands empty, with pigeons beeing it’s only occupants.

A person standing in an abandoned sacred place in Europe, surrounded by ornate architectural details.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe with high arches, stained glass windows, and wooden pews.

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This abandoned church was once a favorite destination for urban explorers. An inscription above the altar reads, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Abandoned sacred place in Europe with wooden pews and arched ceiling, showcasing historical architecture.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe featuring an altar, blue vaulted ceiling, and religious paintings.

This church, located in a small Italian town, is very difficult to access, even for urban explorers—you have to squeeze through a very narrow opening.

Abandoned sacred church interior in Europe with damaged benches and peeling walls.

Abandoned European sacred place with colorful frescoes and worn altar, showcasing its historical beauty.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe with wooden pews and ornate altar, showcasing beautiful decay and historical architecture.

This church in the Czech Republic features inscriptions in German, as the town once had a large German-speaking community.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe, featuring a weathered church interior with arched ceiling and ornate altar.

This small chapel once belonged to an abandoned palace in Hungary that was once a hotel. Now, the hotel is deserted, and anyone can walk through it.

Abandoned sacred church interior in Europe with wooden pews, a crucifix, and painted walls.

This church, located in a small village in Portugal, is slowly fading away. Its grounds are now used as a cattle pasture, and the doors to the church stand wide open.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe, featuring decaying pews, ornate altars, and faded walls, creating a hauntingly beautiful scene.

This chapel once belonged to a manor house next door, which has been abandoned for many years and is now undergoing reconstruction. Hopefully, reconstruction will begin here as well.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe, featuring an empty, decaying church interior with wooden pews and an ornate altar.

This church belongs to a small community that lacks the funds to maintain it. As a result, it now stands completely abandoned.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe with open book on decaying pew, stained glass windows, and lone figure in the distance.

This abandoned church has preserved not only its pews but also the paintings on the walls and a magnificent altar. It has remained closed and neglected for many years due to lack of funds.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe, featuring an empty church with ornate architecture and scattered leaves on the floor.

Part of this monastery in Italy now houses a museum, but the rest is sadly neglected and slowly decaying. The ceiling is collapsing, making it unsafe to enter.

Abandoned sacred place in Europe with ornate altar, decaying wooden benches, and sunlight through a large window.

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